Mati tops CebuPac’s poll on most preferred new desitination in PH

More than two million netizens, who responded to a crowdsourcing campaign initiated by the country’s leading airline, chose the capital City of Mati in Davao Oriental as one of the top preferred destinations they want Cebu Pacific Air (CEB) to fly next.

After Mati another emerging tourist destination in Mindanao was top on the list- Bislig, a third- class city in Surigao del Sur.

Completing the Top 10 picks are Daet in Camarines Norte, Bantayan Island in Cebu, San Vicente in Palawan, Siquijor, Lal-Lo in Cagayan, Marinduque, Maasin in Southern Leyte, and Basco in Batanes.

The #CEBFlyMeTo campaign, aimed to bring communities together to voice out their thoughts and push for their hometowns to become one of CEB’s destinations.

Since the campaign was launched in late 2017, more than two million netizens watched, shared, reacted, and commented with their votes

The #CEBFlyMeTo campaign is timely, considering that the provincial government of Davao Oriental is pushing for the establishment of an operating airport in Mati City to attract more tourists and investors in the area.

Late last year, Davao Oriental Governor Nelson Dayanghirang announced he had already discussed the plan with the President, who committed to help achieve it.

“We are now working on developing and improving our tourism infrastructure from roads, to airports, ports and terminals. Hopefully, we can now revive our airport in Mati City,” Dayanghirang said.

One indication for the realization of this plan is the recent visit of a team from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines which conducted an ocular inspection in the area. The Mati National Airport, formerly known as Imelda R. Marcos Airport, is located in Dahican, Mati City.

“We already have an airport but it is not operating because the runway needs expansion and facilities need to be improved. At present, the airport cannot accommodate commercial flights, only chartered and light planes,” the governor said.

With the revival of Mati airport and its utilization for CEB’s commercial flights, tourists and travelers are given access to visit the area. Mati boasts of beautiful islands and beaches and is home to the mysterious Sleeping Dragon.

Its inclusion in the list of top destinations only means that CEB could soon be flying to the area. Cebu Pacific has several brand-new aircraft set to be delivered in the coming months. From 2018 to 2022, CEB expects delivery of seven brand-new Airbus A321ceo, 32 Airbus A321neo, and eight ATR 72-600 aircraft. (Nelson C. Bagaforo/PNA)